The parents of James Holmes, the man accused in a 2012 movie theater rampage in Colorado, said their son “is not a monster” and expressed hopes that he gets institutionalized in their first public statement since the attack.

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“We love our son, we have always loved him and we do not want him to be executed. We also decry the need for a trial,” said Robert and Arlene Holmes in a statement released today through a lawyer, Lisa Damiani.

The Aurora, Colorado, attack left 12 dead and 70 injured. Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

His parents, who declined previous interview requests, said a trial would be devastating for relatives and survivors.

“A lengthy trial requires everyone to relive those horrible moments in time, causing additional trauma. In the criminal justice system, the prosecution and defense can agree to a sentence of life in prison, without parole, in exchange for a guilty plea,” Robert and Arlene Holmes said. “If that happened, our son would be in prison the rest of his life, but no one would have to relive those horrible events at a trial the media has permission to televise.”

The parents said they are aware that people want their son to be executed.

“We have read postings on the Internet that have likened him to a monster. He is not a monster. He is a human being gripped by a severe mental illness. We believe that the death penalty is morally wrong, especially when the condemned is mentally ill,” the statement read.

Earlier this month, the judge overseeing the case refused to delay the trial, despite defense attorneys’ request for more time to review massive amounts of evidence.

"This case has been pending for 2 1/2 years," Judge Carlos A. Samour Jr. wrote in his 20-page order. "Counsel, their skilled experts and their staff have had a considerable amount of time to prepare for trial."